Inside the New York Yankees clubhouse with MLB.com beat writer Bryan Hoch.

Mark Teixeira: Hardest ball ever?

Mark Teixeira was smoked on the left heel in the sixth inning by Jason Heyward’s rocket — that much is not up for debate. But the Yankees’ first baseman, who has certainly fielded his share of well-hit baseballs during his pro career, wondered aloud if Heyward’s blast might have been the most forceful of them all.

“It hit me on the heel. It stayed down. That was maybe the hardest ball I’ve ever had hit at me, but I thought I could get a glove on it. It stayed down and hit me right in the heel. It’s a little sore so hopefully not too bad.”

Teixeira said he fully expects to play on Monday, as the Yankees and Braves wrap up their three-game Interleague series.

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